English

The English department aims to instil a love of language and literature whilst enabling pupils to acquire the skills to express themselves accurately, imaginatively and purposefully. Work is varied, fun and encourages individual excellence and effective group participation. Relationships between staff and students are based on mutual trust and respect so the learning atmosphere in the classroom offers help and support and encourages pupils to take risks and challenge themselves to achieve the best possible academic success.

Key Stage 3: Years 7-9

Key Stage 3 pupils follow a wide-ranging curriculum, which uses aspects of the National Curriculum where appropriate to the needs of the students. Schemes of work focus on reading, writing and speaking and listening. A wide range of texts is studied, both non-fiction and fiction, to include prose, poetry and drama. We encourage the use of new, stimulating material as well as enjoying the study of fiction in the literary heritage. Pupils have weekly lessons in the Learning Resources Centre which is well stocked with the best of new and traditional texts.

Key Stage 4: GCSE

GCSE students are divided into sets and all Year 10 and 11 girls take AQA English Language 8700 and English Literature, 8701. This course is assessed through two examined unit for each subject. The department has high expectations of pupils and our results demonstrate the success that can be achieved with skilful direction and enthusiastic learning.

Key Stage 5: A Level

In the Sixth Form, we offer courses in both AQA English Literature and the joint course AQA English Literature and Language. Lessons encourage full engagement and participation from students who have the opportunity to pursue a core curriculum and follow their own independent units of study.

Extra-curricular Activities

The English department organises a full programme of theatre visits to Stratford, London and regional theatres. Recent productions we have seen include ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’, ‘Twelfth Night’, and ‘The Kite Runner’.

We have welcomed many authors to the school to talk to students about their writing and run workshop sessions.

Each year we run a multi-disciplinary Shakespeare Day and numerous competitions for both writing and speaking. Girls are encouraged to participate in local public speaking competitions and our teams have won both the Senior and Intermediate sections in recent years.